BBC and Sky partner for live Formula 1 rights

BBC TV and Sky Sports have been awarded the live rights to Formula 1 ™ between 2012 and 2018. 

The move will bring increased choice, innovation and breadth of coverage to UK and Irish motor racing fans. 

The two leading UK sports broadcasters will offer fans unparalleled live High Definition coverage of every race of the season. 

The broadcasting partnership will include:

• All races, qualifying and practice sessions live on Sky Sports across TV, online and mobile and tablet devices
• Half the races and qualifying sessions remain live on BBC TV, online and mobile including key races such at the British Grand Prix, Monaco Grand Prix and the final race of the season
• Extensive BBC highlights on TV, online and mobile, of all races and qualifying sessions that BBC is not covering live
• Build up coverage of each Grand Prix on BBC News, Sky Sports News and Sky News
• Extensive multiplatform coverage including red button, bbc.co.uk/sport and skysports.com

The audiences brought by Sky and BBC will ensure Formula 1 reaches the widest possible audience. BBC Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra will continue to cover every race live.

Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, said: "We are absolutely delighted that F1 will remain on the BBC. The sport has never been more popular with TV audiences at a 10 year high and the BBC has always stated its commitment to the big national sporting moments. With this new deal not only have we delivered significant savings but we have also ensured that through our live and extended highlights coverage all the action continues to be available to licence fee payers."

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: "This is fantastic news for F1 fans and Sky Sports will be the only place to follow every race live and in HD. We will give F1 the full Sky Sports treatment with a commitment to each race never seen before on UK television. As well as unrivalled build up to each race on Sky Sports News, we will broadcast in-depth live coverage of every session. Sky customers with Sky Sports will also be able to enjoy F1 across multiple platforms and devices, including Sky Go."

Formula 1 will join the line-up of live sport on Sky Sports, which marked its 20th birthday in April. Subscribers can enjoy Premier League and UEFA Champions League football, England Test matches, three of golf's four majors including the Masters from Augusta, international, European and domestic rugby union, Super League rugby and a host of other sports events.

Notes to Editors

If there are an odd number of races in the season, the final selection will be screened exclusively live by Sky Sports.

(Source : BBC Press Release)